Crash on US 41 in Dunnellon kills 28-year-old motorcyclist

Sunday

Dec 30, 2007 at 12:01 AMDec 30, 2007 at 6:17 AM

BY AUSTIN L. MILLERSTAR-BANNER

DUNNELLON - A 28-year-old man died Saturday afternoon when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle in front of a grocery store in Dunnellon, according to Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
The 1:15 p.m. collision, which occurred in front of the Winn-Dixie at 10051 S. U.S. 41, is the third traffic-related death in Marion County in the past week, and pushes the total number of fatalities this year to 69. Last year's total was 70.
In Saturday's crash, troopers said a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville, driven by 70-year-old Lisa S. Brown, was heading west from the Winn-Dixie parking lot, while a 2004 Suzuki motorcycle ridden by Cory L. Altman, was heading north on U.S. 41, approaching the store.
Officials said Brown didn't see the motorcyclist as she attempted to make her way onto U.S. 41 and hit him. Troopers said the front of the motorcycle struck the left side of the car.
Altman was transported to TimberRidge Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2 p.m.
Troopers said both Brown and Altman are Dunnellon residents.
According to authorities, Altman and his family had just relocated to Dunnellon from Coral Gables in the Miami area. Troopers said Altman was carrying University of Florida student identification, but a university spokesman said it was unclear whether he was currently enrolled.
In the three traffic fatalities since Dec. 22, all of the victims were men. In the first one, a single-vehicle crash on County Road 318 and Northeast 30th Terrace, the victim was 19-year-old Robert Owen Davis Jr. The second involved three vehicles at U.S. 301 and Southeast 135th Street, and the person who died was 86-year-old Donald Wallace Leslie.
Austin L. Miller may be reached at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.

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